Ready for spooky fun this Halloween? The last few weeks of October are the height of fall and Halloween activities. With scary celebrations and fall festivals in every small town, there are plenty of opportunities to get your heart pumping. These are some of the best ways to have some Halloween fun with your family this year!
Stock Up at a Farmers’ Market:
Most farmers’ markets close or head indoors at the end of the month. Take advantage of the lighter crowds to stock up on the end of season bounty. In addition to pumpkins and apples, you’ll find cold weather greens that are at their most tender. Hit the market in the morning and let inspiration guide you to creating healthy and fun Halloween foods. The kids will love it!
Head to a Pumpkin Patch.
Take a drive to a local farm for your pumpkin this year. Many offer hayrides and petting zoos to entertain the whole family. And really, there’s just something magical about wandering among rows of pumpkins for the perfect pick. Bring your best camera along. With bright orange pumpkins and fall’s unique light, pumpkin patches are the perfect photo opportunity.
Corn Mazes.
Combine your corn maze excursion with pumpkin picking for the youngest goblins. Or brave a spooky corn maze on a dark night. You’ll get your heart pumping and plenty of fresh air. With a little scouting, you can find family friendly corn mazes for the littlest adventurers. Or grab a couple of friends and leave the family at home for a silly grown-up evening.
Scare Yourself!
Haunted hayrides, shadowy forests, even your favorite horror movie all have in common the heart pumping sensation of intense fear. Turns out, getting scared out of your gourd can be good for your health as well. The flood of dopamine and adrenaline into your bloodstream is a great stress reliever. Getting scared with your family or friends also has social benefits. Choose your own level of Halloween terror. Even a weeknight cemetery walk with your kids can be a spooky celebration at this time of year.
Use up your Candy.
Even after an active night of trick or treating, the amount of candy remaining on November 1st is overwhelming for most families. Newsflash. You don’t have to eat it. If you feel guilty about throwing it away, let your kids entertain themselves by “wasting” the candy on artwork and experiments. From candy coated chocolate to licorice whips, Halloween candy can be used in artwork to make colorful mosaics and even water colors. You can also give your kids lots of opportunities to experience scientific principles like expansion, dissolution, and absorption with these experiments.
More Healthy Halloween Fun.
Keep an eye on the calendars at Nature Centers and county and state parks. Many offer Halloween or fall walks with bonfires and costumes. Head to an apple orchard. You can even enjoy the celebration in your own backyard with a game of one on one football or a pile of leaves. This month is also “eat better, eat together month”, reminding us of the importance of warm meals with those we love. Let the season inspire you with plenty of fresh air and fun before the cold weather comes.